Method for oxidizing groups to carboxylic acids under basic conditions

ABSTRACT

There is provided a novel process for the preparation of carboxylic acids from alkyl groups under basic conditions utilizing oxides of copper, cobalt and silver.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 485,769, filed Apr. 18, 1983,now U.S. Pat. No. 4,623,726.

The invention herein described relates to a method for the preparationof various carboxylic acids. The method involves the use of variousoxides of copper, cobalt or silver under basic conditions to preparecarboxylic acids from alkyl groups. The higher oxidation states ofcopper, cobalt, or silver [i.e., those greater than Cu(II), Co(II) orAg(I)], generated by either chemical or electro-chemical methods, aresuitable for oxidizing alkyl groups to carboxylic acids under basicconditions. The method of the invention is conveniently suitable for theoxidation of methyl groups to carboxylic acids.

By way of background, it is well-known that various carboxylic acids(i.e., 2,3-pyridinedicarboxylic acid) are susceptible to decarboxylationunder common methods of preparation. While there are numerous proceduresavailable for oxidizing methyl groups to carboxylic acids, most of thesemethods are conducted under acidic conditions where sensitivity todecarboxylation can be a problem. Many acids, such as2,3-pyridinedicarboxylic acid, are prone to decarboxylation under suchconditions.

In light of the foregoing summary of some demands and limitations ofconventional methods for the oxidation of alkyl groups to carboxylicacids, an improved method for producing such carboxylic acids is highlydesirable. An object of this invention is to provide a new and usefulmethod for the production of various carboxylic acids under basicconditions by the oxidation of alkyl groups. This object is manifest inthe following description and particularly delineated in the appendedclaims.

Compounds comprised of higher oxidation states of copper [>Cu(II)],cobalt [>Co(II)] or silver [>Ag(II)] are particularly well-adapted foroxidizing alkyl groups to carboxylic acids under basic conditions.Oxidants suitable for use in the method of the invention are representedby formula I below:

    X.sub.m Y.sub.n                                            (I)

wherein X is copper, cobalt or silver; Y is oxygen; m is 1 or 2; n is aninteger of 1 to 6; and n≧m. Among the formula-I oxidants that can beutilized in the practice of the invention are: Co₂ O₃, Cu₂ O₃, and Ag₂O₂. The compound 2,3-pyridinedicarboxylic acid, which is notablysensitive to decarboxylation, may be prepared quite satisfactorily bythe method of the present invention.

It has been unexpectedly found that compounds containing copper, cobalt,or silver in higher oxidation states may conveniently be prepared withoxidants such as chlorine or hypochlorite and utilizing salts such asCuO, Cu(OH)₂, Cu(NO₂)₂.6H₂ O, Cu(NO₂)₂.3H₂ O, CuO and Ag₂ O. Suchoxidants may be utilized for a full range of oxidation reactions underboth steady-state continuous conditions and batch conditions, and mayalso be recycled. The reaction may be illustrated as follows: ##STR1##wherein R is alkyl, arylalkyl, or heteroarylalkyl.

Illustrative of the above process, 5 g of pulverized cupric oxide isadded to a solution of 10 g 2-methyl-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid in 100ml of 15% aqueous sodium hydroxide. The solution is heated to 75° C. and200 ml of 15.5% aqueous sodium hypochlorite is added over 30 minutes.The reaction mixture is stirred at 75° C. for 18 hours and an additional200 ml aliquot of sodium hypochloride is added. After three additionalhours, the mixture is filtered, chilled to 15° C., and acidified to pH3. The product, 2,3-quinolinedicarboxylic acid, is isolated in 90%yield. Alternatively, 10 g of 2-methyl-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid and100 ml of water is placed in a reactor. The pH of the mixture isadjusted to 10 and 20 g of cupric hydroxide is added. The mixture isfirst warmed to 85° C. for one hour to convert the cupric hydroxide toits oxide, and then cooled to 55° C. An automatic pH controller is setto maintain the pH above 10. Chlorine gas is then introduced at the rateof approximately 2 g/hr for 24 hours. The reaction is cooled and theproduct precipitates after the pH is adjusted to 3. A 65% yield of2,3-quinolinedicarboxylic acid is obtained.

The higher oxides of copper, cobalt or silver oxidants may be formed onan electrode surface by slaking the electrode in aqueous hydroxide, andthen applying a voltage below that at which oxygen evolution occurs.

EXAMPLE 1 Copper oxidation of 2-methyl-nicotinic acid

20 g of cupric hydroxide is added to a stirred solution of 25 ml of a50% aqueous solution of NaOH and 25 ml H₂ O. The solution is heated to55° C. After 15 minutes, 8.5 g (0.62 mol) of 2-methyl-3-nicotinic acidis added. A pH controller is set to maintain the pH of the reactionmixture above 10 by incremental addition of 50% aqueous NaOH. Chlorinegas is then introduced at the rate of 10 g in one hour, followed by 1 gper hour thereafter until a total of about 28.4 g Cl₂ is added. Thereaction mixture is then filtered while hot, chilled to 15° C.,acidified to pH 3, and filtered to give 6.71 g (64.8% yield) of2,3-pyridinedicarboxylic acid after drying. The reaction is illustratedas follows: ##STR2##

EXAMPLE 2 Copper oxidation of 2-methyl-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid

A solution containing 3.8 g of pulverized copper oxide, 7.5 g water, 3 gof 50% aqueous NaOH and 1.0 g (4.87 mol) 2-methyl-3-quinolinecarboxylicacid is prepared at 70° C. with stirring. 20 ml of 15% aqueous sodiumhypochlorite solution is added and the reaction mixture is stirred for18 hours. A second 20 ml aliquot of hypochlorite is added and thereaction mixture is stirred an additional three hours before beingcooled, filtered and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography.The aqueous solution contains 0.97 g of 2,3-quinolinedicarboxylic acidrepresenting a 92% yield. The reaction is illustrated as follows:##STR3##

EXAMPLE 3 Electrolytic copper oxidation of2-methyl-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid

A solution of 7.5 g (0.040 mol) of 2-methyl-3-quinolinecarboxylic acidin 100 ml of 15% aqueous sodium hydroxide is added to a reactor fittedwith a copper anode (4×10×0.025 cm) and a nickel cathode (4×10×0.0175cm). The solution is warmed with stirring to 40° C. A current of 10 mAat 1.47 v is applied for 24 hours. The assayed reaction mixture contains0.4 g of 2,3-quinolinedicarboxylic acid representing a 5% yield. Thereaction is illustrated as follows: ##STR4##

EXAMPLE 4 Electrolytic oxidation of 2-methyl-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid

A solution of 7.5 g (0.040 mol) of 2-methyl-3-quinolinecarboxylic acidin 100 ml of 15% aqueous sodium hydroxide is placed in a reactor fittedwith a cobalt anode (4×10×0.25 cm) and a nickel cathode (4×10×0.0175cm). The solution is heated to 95° C. and a current of 2 mA and 1.47 vis applied. After 600 hours, the reaction mixture is cooled to 15° C.and acidified to pH 3. The product, 2,3-quinolinedicarboxylic acid, isfiltered and dried to constant weight. A yield of 1.4 g of product isobtained representing a 90% yield. The reaction is illustrated asfollows: ##STR5##

EXAMPLE 5 Copper oxidation of 2-methyl-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid

To a reactor is added 4.03 g (18.9 mmol) of2-methyl-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid hydrochloride and 40 ml water. ThepH is adjusted to pH 10 and 16.0 g cupric hydroxide is added. Thesolution is warmed to 85° C. for 60 minutes; then cooled and held at 55°C. A pH controller is set to maintain the pH above 10 by the incrementaladdition of aqueous 50% sodium hydroxide solution. Chlorine gas isintroduced at approximately 1 g/hr to give a total of 20 g after 21hours. The reaction mixture is filtered and analyzed; 2.82 g of2,3-quinolinedicarboxylic acid is obtained. The reaction is illustratedas follows: ##STR6##

EXAMPLE 6 Continuous copper oxidation of 2-methyl-3-quinilinecarboxylicacid

A jacketed 1×50 cm column is packed with copper oxide wire (1 mm dia×5mm length). The column temperature is set at 75° C. by use of anexternal thermostatted bath connected to the column jacket. A solutionof 1.0 g (4.7 mmol) of 2-methyl-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid, 8 ml water,and 2 g of 50% aqueous sodium hydroxide is introduced to the column at arate of 0.054 ml/minute simultaneously with 15 g (39.1 mmoles) of 15.5%aqueous sodium hypochlorite at a rate of 0.10 ml/minute. The reactionmixture exiting the column is assayed to contain 17.0% of unreacted2-methyl-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid and 80.6% of the product2,3-quinolinedicarboxylic acid. The reaction is illustrated as follows:##STR7##

EXAMPLE 7 Copper oxidation of o-toluic acid

To a reactor is added 25 ml of H₂ O, 25 ml of 50% NaOH, and 20 g ofcupric hydroxide with stirring. The temperature is brought to 55° C.After 15 minutes, 6.8 g (0.05 mol) o-toluic acid is added to thissolution. A pH controller is set to maintain the pH above 10 byincremental addition of 50% aqueous NaOH. Chlorine gas is introduced ata rate of 0.16 g/min for the first 85 minutes, and then at 0.03 g/min togive a total of 25 g of chlorine. The solution is filtered and thefiltrate chilled to 15° C. The pH is adjusted to 3 with 37% HCl. Theproduct is filtered and dried to yield 4.11 g phthalic acid. Thisrepresents a product yield of 49.5%. The reaction is illustrated asfollows: ##STR8##

EXAMPLE 8 Copper oxidation of 3-(3-pyridinyl)propanol

To a reactor is added 25 ml of 50% aqueous NaOH, sufficient water tobring the volume to 50 ml, and 6.9 g (0.05 mol) of3-(3-pyridinyl)propanol. The solution is brought to 55° C. and 20 g ofcupric hydroxide is added. A pH controller is set to maintain the pHabove 10 by the incremental addition of 50% aqueous NaOH. After 5minutes, chlorine is introduced at approximately 1 g/hr. After 48 hoursand about 32 g of chlorine have been added, the reaction mixture isassayed for the appearance of product by high performance liquidchromatography. A yield of 5.96 g of nicotinic acid is obtained. Thisrepresents a product yield of 97%. The reaction is illustrated asfollows: ##STR9##

EXAMPLE 9 Copper oxidation of 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene

To a reactor is added 25 ml of 50% aqueous NaOH and sufficient water tototal 50 ml. The solution is heated to 55° C. and 20 g of cuprichydroxide is added, followed by 6.1 g (0.05 mol) of1,2,4-trimethylbenzene. The temperature of the solution is adjusted to70° C. A pH controller is set to maintain the pH above 10 by theincremental addition of 50% aqueous NaOH. Chlorine gas is thenintroduced at the rate of approximately 1 g/hr for 62 hours to a totalof 43.8 g of chlorine. The reaction mixture is filtered, chilled to 15°C. and acidified with 37% HCl to pH 2. The product is collected byfiltration, dried and analyzed by high performance liquidchromatography. A yield of 2.48 g of 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic acid isobtained. This represents a product yield of 23%. The reaction isillustrated as follows: ##STR10##

EXAMPLE 10 Copper oxidation of 2,3-lutidine

To a stirred mixture of 20 g of cupric hydroxide, is added 5.5 g (0.05mol) of 2,3-lutidine, 25 g of 50% aqueous NaOH, and sufficient water tobring the volume to 50 ml. The reaction mixture is heated at 70° C.until cupric oxide formation is visually complete, then cooled to 55° C.A pH controller is set to maintain the pH of the mixture above 10 by theincremental addition of 50% aqueous NaOH. Chlorine gas is thenintroduced at the rate of approximately 3 g/hr. After 14 g (19 mmol) ofchlorine has been added, the solution is assayed by high performanceliquid chromatography to contain 0.45 g of 2,3-pyridinedicarboxylic acid(representing a 5% yield) and 1.38 g of 2-methyl nicotinic acid(representing a 14.7% yield). The reaction is illustrated as follows:##STR11##

EXAMPLE 11 Silver Oxidation of 2-methyl-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid

To a reactor is added 30 ml of H₂ O, 15 g of 50% aqueous NaOH, and 5.0 g(22.3 mmol) of 2-methyl-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid hydrochloride. Thesolution is heated to 65° C. and 5.0 g (40.4 mmol) Ag₂ O₂ is added withstirring. After 20 hours, the solution is analyzed by high performanceliquid chromatography. A product of 1.3 g of 2,3-quinolinedicarboxylicacid (representing a 26.9% yield) and 3.36 g of2-methyl-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid starting material (representing67.2% recovery) are present. The reaction is illustrated as follows:##STR12##

EXAMPLE 12 Cobalt oxidation of 2-methyl-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid

To a reactor is added 30 ml of H₂ O and 15 g of 50% aqueous NaOH. Thesolution is heated to 65° C. and 3.85 g (0.051 mol) of cobalt oxide and5 g (0.022 mol) of 2-methyl-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid hydrochloride areadded with stirring. A chilled solution of 13 g (0.18 mol) of chlorinein 40 g of chlorine in 40 g of 25% aqueous NaOH (˜24% aqueous NaOCl) isadded over 3 hours. The solution is then stirred for 15 hours and anadditional aliquot of 24% aqueous NaOCl (0.36 mol total) is added over 3hours. After a total of 36 hours, the solution is filtered, chilled to15° C. and acidified to pH 3. The solid material is removed byfiltration. A product of 2.3 g of 2,3-quinolinedicarboxylic acid isobtained. This represents a yield of 77% based on consumed2-methyl-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid. The reaction is illustrated asfollows: ##STR13##

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for the oxidation of one or more CH₃groups to a carboxylic acid product, wherein said CH₃ group is attachedto a pyridine, quinoline or benzene ring compound, said methodcomprising: reacting said CH₃ substituted compound with a hydroxide oroxide of formula (I)

    X.sub.m Y.sub.n                                            (I)

wherein X is copper, cobalt or silver; Y is oxygen or hydroxyl; m is aninteger of 1 or 2; n is an integer of 2 to 6; and n≧m; in anelectrolytic cell containing a copper, cobalt or silver anode that hasbeen treated with aqueous sodium hydroxide; applying a voltage less thanthat at which oxygen evolution occurs thereby forming compounds offormula (I) in situ; and conducting said reaction at pH>9.
 2. A methodaccording to claim 1, wherein said anode is a Cu anode.
 3. A methodaccording to claim 2, wherein said CH₃ substituted compound is2-methyl-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid and said product is2,3-quinolinedicarboxylic acid.
 4. A method according to claim 1,wherein said CH₃ substituted compound is 2-methyl-nicotinic acid andsaid product is 2,3-pyridinedicarboxylic acid.
 5. A method according toclaim 1, wherein said anode is a Co anode.
 6. A method according toclaim 5, wherein said CH₃ substituted compound is2-methyl-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid and said product is2,3-quinolinedicarboxylic acid.
 7. A method according to claim 1,additionally comprising: an elevated oxidation state of copper, cobaltor silver.
 8. A method according to claim 1, wherein said formula (I)compound is Ag₂ O₂.
 9. A method according to claim 8, wherein said CH₃substituted compound is 2-methyl-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid and saidproduct is 2,3-quinolinedicarboxylic acid.